In the third week of the legislative session, the House of Representatives worked on bills in our various committees, the joint House and Senate Appropriations committees continued their deliberation over the state budget and we had the great honor of welcoming some special guests to the capitol.

Because passing a balanced state budget is the first priority of the general assembly due to its obvious effect on every citizen, hammering out the details is done with great care and typically takes several weeks before a document is presented for a vote.

Leaders of the Georgia National Guard were highly esteemed visitors as House Resolution 902 recognized January 25, 2018, as National Guard Day at the state capitol. As you may know, I served in the U.S. Army Reserve and the Alabama Air National Guard, and I know first-hand the personal sacrifices that our guardsmen and women endure to ensure our protection and freedom. Since Sept. 11, 2001, more than 18,000 members of the Georgia National Guard have deployed overseas, with more than 200 currently deployed. These brave, dedicated men and women also serve during natural disasters and most recently were placed on state active duty to assist in recovery efforts in Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. I’m personally grateful for each and every one of them and believe this is a tribute that is well-deserved.

Since education is the primary tool that equips children to become independent, thriving adults who contribute to society and provide for their families, I will always be a proponent for a strong school system. Currently, there is no state entity in Georgia that accredits primary and secondary public schools or school systems and with this in mind, I co-sponsored House Resolution 898. This resolution will create a Joint Study Committee on the establishment of a state accreditation process and the possibility of aligning accreditation with the charter school system. The committee would also create an annual review process for student academic achievement and financial management. I believe that the findings and implementation of this committee could benefit our schools, and ultimately our students. I will keep you updated on the Study Committee’s progress and if you would like to read the full version of the resolution, please go to http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20172018/HR/898.

We also worked with our counterparts in the Senate and adopted another adjournment resolution this week, which determined our calendar for the remainder of the 2018 legislative session. Legislative Day 40, or Sine Die, is the final day of the legislative session and will be Thursday, March 29. Until then, my House colleagues and our Senate counterparts have a busy and aggressive schedule and will be working diligently to pass meaningful bills for Governor Nathan Deal to consider signing into law.

As the House continues this legislative session, please continue to keep in touch with me regarding your questions and concerns about legislation that could affect your family and our community. I can be reached at (404) 656-5146 or by email at randy.nix@house.ga.gov.  Thank you for placing your trust in me and allow me to represent you in the State House.

Randy Nix is a state legislator, representing LaGrange.